MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 1115, 18 April 1891, Page 3

MINERS' ASSOCIATION.

The monthly meeting of the Mfci Ida Miners.' Association was held at the Town Hall, Naseby; on the 29th March, 1891. Present—Messrs Lennane (chair), W. Blair, I. Parfitt, John M'Grath, P. Fennessey, C. Rumble, T. Lennane and A. M'G. Brown. The minutes of the previous monthly meeting were read, and confirmed on the motion of Mr. W. Mair, seconded by Mr. C. Rnmble. The correspondence consisted of letters from Mr. Scobie Mackenzie, M.H.R., and Mr. "John Werner, secretary of the Confederate Gold-miners' Association of Otago, Lowburn. Mr. Scobie Mackenzie's~letter was to the effect that he enclosed a letter he had just received from the Minister of Mines in answer to his communication re the water race. The association would notice in the letter that the Hon. Mr. Seddon proposed to visit the district and see the race for himself, and until then it was qnite useless to try to get auything for the work. Mr. Mackenzie said he would accompany the Minister on his visit to the district.—Received. Mr. Werner's letter referred to several matters of importance. He asked the Mount Ida Association if they would allow the I words " connected with the gold-mining [ districts" to be inserted 'in the motion re the proclamation of rivers as public channels instead of " mining debris and tailwater from the ranges to the sea." A discussion ensued on this matter, and ultimately it was proposed by Win. Blah and seconded by Mr. C. Rumble .-—"That, in the opinion of tnis association, by inserting the words ' connected with gold-mining districts' in the motion it would practically leave the original motion useless for the purpose intended, because rivers must discharge their waters necessarily through districts that are not proclaimed gold-mining districts, before discharging into the sea; and that this association adhere to the original motion, which has been adopted by a majority of the associations in the union.'' Carried. Mr. Werner stated he had received a motion from the Kyeburn branch to the effect: "That, at the request of two-thirds of the members of any association, all motions of general interest to the confederacy shall be referred to the referendum." ' Moved by Mr. P. Fennessey, and seconded | by Mr. Johu M'Grath:—That, in the opinion of this association, ic is not desirable to [ consult the referendum, as no complaint has been made against the committee of I any association in the union in dealing with mining matters ; and that this association is of opinion that the men elected to serve as committeemen have sufficient practical knowledge and intelligence to transact the business entrusted to them without going to any outside body interested in the matter." —Carried.

Moved by Mr. C. Rumble, and seconded by Mr. Thos. Lennane :—" That this association protests against the great hardship and expense applicants for mining privileges are put'to by unnecessary attendance at the Warden's Court, and also by the frequent adjournments of hearings, which cause applicants a. great loss of time and money, more especially when having to travel long distances; and that this committee is of opinion that on a person lodging his applica tion for a miuing privilege he should pay to the Clerk of the Court in stamps the necessary fee for grant or registration, and if the application be granted the certificate to be posted to applicant's address, and provided there is no objection, the applicant should not be required to attend personally. And, further, that the deputation appointed to interview the Hon. the Minister of Mines on his arrival at Naseby bring the matter under his notice."—Carried.

It was stated that many complaints had been made to members of the committee with regard to the locking-up of auriferous lands in the vicinity of Naseby. held with the consent of the rnnholder, and the opinion was generally expressed that the mere fact of a sod fence having been erected on Crown lauds should not prevent the ground being worked. Several of those present took exception to the remarks of Mr. Warden Dalgliesh in a recent case, which were to the effect that it seemed to him a pity to break up cultivated paddocks on which considerable sums had been expended .for the sake of enabling a man to earn 255. or 30s. a week. It was held that the sum stated was about the average rate of wages at Naseby, and, agreed several members, if men were willing to mine on Crown lands for that return it was their own business. A sod fence could not be allowed to prevent miners making ali velihood. The committee resolved to take action in the matter and strive for "Freetrade and no monopoly." The deputation previously referred to was instructed to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister of Mines.

The secretary was instructed to communicate with the secretary of the Mount Ida Amateur Minstrel Troupe, requesting the company to give an entertaiument at an early date in celebration of the abolition of the gold duty, the arrangements previously made with the Musical and Dramatic Club having fallen through owing to the departure from the district of several prominent members. The usual compliment to the chair terminated the meeting.